Brother/Genie KH710 knitting machine is a 4.5 mm (standard) gauge machine with 200 needles. This chart states that it is the same as KH588 but my experience with both KH710 and KH588 is that those are slightly different (see my other post).
Brother KH710 is one of the latest models for the 8-push button knitting machines and has a lot of modifications not present in earlier models (like KH552-KH588). The case has more plastic (for example, end caps are plastic and not metal like in KH588 and earlier 8-push button models). The carriage covers as well as the handle are also not metal but plastic. The standard setup comes with a lace carriage and cast-on combs. The handle no longers screws on but is permanently attached to the carriage (good – fewer things to lose – I see so many machines arriving without these screw-on handles). But the handle folds for easier fitting into the case.
Besides 8-push buttons, genie 710 has a pattern center, which allows you to fix the needle selection and simply move the following needle selection relative to the initial position. It also allows (using the reverse lever) to select either needles push-in or select needles, not pished-in.
About this particular machine:
It was very easy to use it. The carriage slides very easily – in my video I show that I could use just one hand.
The machine comes with all major and minor assesories.
The assesories fit nicely into a special toolbox with a matching lid.
The hard copy of the manual will not be included. The manual is available for download here. It mentions some of the patterns and button/lever variations. More patterns and variations of push buttons can be found here.
I inserted a brand-new retaining bar with a brand-new sponge. All needles were inspected individually. I tested this machine on a full bed using stockinet, pull-up, and tuck-stitch patterning (shown in my video). None of the needles were mispatterning and the knitted fabric looked even and great.
After I gave it some TLC, the machine feels and looks like new. It is very lightweight (because end-caps are plastic.
The case has some cracks: see the pictures below but they do not affect the functioning of the machine.
Genie 710 is excellent for beginners or for advanced knitters who prefer hand-manipulations of stitches and needles. I hope you will consider adding this machine to your craft room.
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